ADHD Diagnosis and Intervention
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder which includes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children and teens with ADHD need a good ADHD treatment plan to help to improve current and future academic and/or behavioural outcomes. Our team of neuropsychologists, psychologists and therapy assistants can work with your children to improve their executive functions, self-concept, and emotional awareness.
Improve executive functioning skills
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD affects one in twenty-five Australians but is still frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed. A lot of the day to day challenges with ADHD relate to executive functioning skills, which include:
- Organizing, prioritizing and activating for tasks
- Focusing, sustaining and shifting attention to task
- Regulating alertness, sustaining effort and processing speed
- Managing frustration and modulating emotions
- Utilizing working memory and accessing recall
- Monitoring and self-regulating action
The uniqueness of ADHD traits is often overlooked. People with ADHD are generally creative original thinkers and passionate and highly knowledgeable individuals, due to their ability to hyperfocus on a topic that interests them. Despite this, ADHD has its share of not-so-positive attributes, including academic difficulties, difficulty regulating emotions, anxiety, lack of confidence…
We can help you
ADHD requires specific tests and our neuropsychologists provide comprehensive assessments of ADHD including the use of IQ and learning assessment measures to screen for associated ADHD difficulties. Once a diagnosis has been given, Marsden Psychology can assist with getting you and your child the help they need.
Our approach varies according to the needs of the child. Children with mild ADHD with minimal other behavioural or developmental issues usually do well with a family-based approach around behavioural management strategies. Children with more severe ADHD may benefit from the family-based approaches as well as a targeted intervention to build executive skills. You may also find our online group workshop, such as our POKA Lunch Club helpful.
If you believe your child may be experiencing some of these symptoms, it would be beneficial to have them assessed at the Kids Clinic, so that they can receive treatment early to ensure they reach their potential throughout their childhood and adolescent years of life. Our team of psychologists can arrange the appropriate assessments and support for your child.
What to expect
Making your first appointment
Once you’ve decided to try therapy, call our kind and caring admin team on (02) 9139 0126 to discuss what you are having difficulty with and book your first appointment.
Attending the initial consultation
In the initial consultation, your therapist is looking to build a picture of how you’ve come to where you are today and what you are looking to get out of therapy. Your therapist will do their best to address any questions or concerns you may have about the process.
Creating a treatment plan together
Over the first three sessions, your therapist will work collaboratively with you to establish goals for therapy. They are designed to be specific, realistic, and tailored to your needs.
Undergoing therapy
As your therapy goes on, you will continue the process of building a trusting relationship with your therapist. You will work with them to find alternative ways of thinking and behaving, build resilience and learn new skills that will help to see yourself and the world differently, and promote helpful actions in life.
Make a booking today
Not sure where to start or have a question?
There can be lots of questions that come up when you’re trying to make a decision about whether to see a psychologist. If you have a question that we haven’t answered in our FAQ, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.